Earthquake gives US man his hearing back

The earthquake that struck America's east coast yesterday was a blessing in disguise for a deaf man who somehow regained his hearing during the vent.

Robert Valderzak has been in a Washington DC hospital since June after he lost his hearing when he fell over. Doctors believe it was due to fluid or problems with the bones inside the ear.

Until yesterday, he was using a special speakerphone with a light and an audio system to communicate with people.

His four children were visiting him in hospital when the 5.8 magnitude quake struck. After it passed, he felt something different inside his head and knew he could hear and talk again.

"I said, you know my hearing is back," Mr Balderzak told Fox News.

"I can hear everything, people in the hallway."

Dr Ross Fletcher, Chief of Staff at the Virginia Medical Centre, said he was pleased his patient is feeling better, despite the strange circumstances.

"Some people seem to be a little frightened by it but he is delighted that this earthquake came along because soon after the event, he could hear everything in the room very clearly," Dr Fletcher said.